“Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey’s ‘Overly Passionate’ Kiss Scene Removed From Wicked: For Good

Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey’s on-screen romance in Wicked: For Good was reportedly so convincing that a “passionate” kiss between their characters had to be removed from the final cut of the film.

Cut Scene Was “Too Romantic,” Says Co-Writer

The blockbuster, directed by Jon M. Chu and released in cinemas last week, stars Grande, 32, as Glinda the Good Witch and Bailey, 37, as Prince Fiyero. Although Fiyero serves as Glinda’s love interest, his heart ultimately gravitates toward her best friend, Elphaba, leading to a dramatic emotional conflict.

Co-writer Dana Fox revealed to Deadline that one romantic scene between Glinda and Fiyero was cut because it made the love triangle too difficult for audiences to accept.

“There was a scene between Fiyero and Glinda that we cut in which they kissed; it was romantic and beautiful, but a little too passionate,” Fox explained.

She added that the intensity of the moment made Fiyero’s later choice—to be with Elphaba instead of Glinda—emotionally harder to justify.

“It was too real that he and Glinda were actually feeling something together,” Fox said, noting that while Fiyero loved Glinda, his connection with Elphaba ran deeper.

Fans React to “Steamy” PG-Rated Moment

While the Glinda-Fiyero kiss didn’t make the final film, audiences have been buzzing about another intimate scene—this time between Elphaba and Fiyero. In the movie, the pair shares a heated kiss before a cut to the next morning, where Fiyero is shirtless, strongly implying the two slept together.

Many parents and fans expressed surprise at the suggestive moment appearing in a PG-rated film.

Comments on X (formerly Twitter) included:

• “Damn, there’s lowkey a sex scene in this PG,” wrote user enchantdlovr.
• “I’m dying at how hard they tried to keep it PG during Fiyero and Elphaba’s implied sex scene,” added silverastroid.

Elphaba’s “Sex Cardigan” Becomes a Viral Meme

Another unexpected highlight has been Elphaba’s outfit during her seduction scene, which fans have hilariously dubbed the “sex cardigan.” The term quickly went viral, with users joking about the now-iconic knitwear staple.

“Elphaba was taking no chances… broke out the good lingerie and her sex cardigan,” joked user karl_delo.

Fashion commentators even joined the fun, with Vogue jokingly declaring the sexy cardigan a new “holy grail” fashion item.